I first heard a teenager expand ‘could’ve’ to ‘could of’ only a few years ago.  I am seeing it frequently in the written form now and wonder if it taught to pupils and if so, how it is explained. 

 

I am no expert, but surely it is could have, not could of. Could of just doesn't look right to me.

could have

It is not correct but I have heard it on the radio lately, and saw this written in a post here, “ They still require you to of done at least.....” . I am hoping to eliminate this aberration from common parlance by pointing it out. I suspect that the person is thinking ‘to’ve done’ and for the sake of erudition writes out what he thinks he has said.  We have English teachers here and I hope that they are not teaching this. 

The worst, or at least the most frequent, offender is one of our illustrious American moderators. Name withheld to protect the guilty.